Chapters 4-7

Chapter four is all about layouts and how the designer should make their layouts. A layout should provide a direction to the viewer that is very specific. A good layout should have a very clear understanding of their information for the viewers to see within the design. A clear hierarchy has some elements to it that helps the designer’s layouts much better, such as a visual contrast. A visual contrast has a couple principles that are must needed as in size, value, weight, white space, position, figure/ground, texture, and color. Then there is symmetrical and asymmetrical balance. Asymmetrical layout is when the arrangements on the design are mirrored and basically the same, but for an asymmetrical layout is when the layout is less predictable and much more dynamic. There is also sequencing or visual rhythm. These to things are achieved in a design by moving elements in different places and not having them in the expected areas or even eliminating some of the elements. Then there is depth, which in a design has, three-dimensional. Those three dimensions are scale, layering, and foreground/background. Last element is implied space, which is a very dramatic device in graphics. The implied space is the part of the design in which the area the designer reference beyond the actual page.

All designers need to sketch before they design their graphics because it puts ideas on paper and it helps with new ideas too. There are seven steps the designer needs to do with sketching before they start designing. Also when doing a design the designer has to consider the types of online designs out there. The designer needs to look at the site architecture because that’s the key success for the graphic for many of ways because the users can go forwards, backwards, in, and with a good architecture of the site will be the key to success. There is also the browser compatibility in which the users computer can change the look of the and functionality of the website and good designers know when to check it and recheck it so nothing bad happens. The html is the “scripting language” because it proves everything the viewer can see on the website. One of the last things is on-screen contrast and readability and a designer needs to review their project in black and white and then adjust their work so that the proper contrast and size is readable for the viewers.

Chapter five is all about the grid system in graphic design. Grids are a major factor in a design because it helps with the creative visual consistency across the pages, panels or screens. The grid gives the design a sold foundation to grow and flourish. Designers need a grid system because it helps designers with multiple pages or issues. The grid system helps make the most of the effort by guiding the designer’s implementations for their initial designs. Another type of grid is one that provides the designer with an underlying logic for its layout. A third type of grid is the information design. This grid is the use of a chart, which makes the designer have to convey the information. When developing a grid there is a system and some strategies that designers should follow. Reverse engineer is one of the first strategies that should be done and that are when the designer takes other magazines or work and goes over it with tracing paper to see the layout of the original work. Then just keeping going back and forth to see what works and what doesn’t. Lastly is to start with one element and let it unfold from there.

Chapter six is all about the identity of the design and Chapter seven is about critique and analysis. The identity is the symbolic idealization of a company, service or retail establishment. There are three strategies when it comes to identity design. There are logos; logotypes and iconocize or combine visual elements are three strategies designers use when making their designs. When developing a design the designer needs to have an eye for what he or she is doing. When critiquing and analyzing other people’s work, it will eventually gain confidence for you to do it to your own work and help your skills out even more.